If you get a chance, read the column called “From the Inside” on page A2 of the Tuesday, Feb. 8 Daily Times Chronicle. It’s full of lovely praise for RPL — the building and facilities (“spotless and inviting”), the resources, and especially the helpful and friendly staff (“always have a ready smile or friendly greeting”)! Great job, everyone!
Author: Rebecca Bailey
Barron’s newspaper changes
Going forward, Barron’s will be in library use only, like the other newspapers. It will have a sticker that says library use only and it will not have a barcode. It will still be findable in the catalog, just not allowed to be put on hold or checked out. This will be for ALL Barron’s issues going forward, not just the most recent one.
Racial Justice Bookshelf
I just found this extremely helpful website while looking for more title for the “Racial Justice: Then and Now” book display: https://www.racialjusticebookshelf.com/
I’m just going to quote straight from the “About” page:
“The Racial Justice Bookshelf was created to make it easy to find and buy anti-racist books from Black-owned bookstores. “
Nice things someone said about Susan + all of us
In Susan’s new role as community health librarian, she’s organized outstanding programs. Here is an email that came from an attendee of last night’s Age Well, Be Well: Eating For Your Health presentation:
“Thank you for coordinating the excellent program on aging last night… RPL has done an outstanding job throughout the pandemic to provide services despite many obstacles. Thanks to everyone.”
Be proud of how we’ve kept offering ourselves and our services despite painful times.
Ghostly Chiming
No worries, the library ghosts aren’t coming for me. The chiming is coming from the children’s room!
What is this Ghostly Chiming?
It is coming from somewhere to the left side of, and behind the R&R desk. It is not the clock. Meaghan is wondering whether she should fear for her life. If anyone can shed any light on this spectral sound, please do!
Talking with Patrons About Books
When talking with patrons about books, I try my best to keep the conversation to book characteristics (this book is engaging and fast paced) rather than whether or not I liked it. This post from Book Riot covers most of the “best practice guidelines for bookish interactions” that I follow here in the library:
Why Library Staff Don’t (or Shouldn’t) Comment on Your Library Checkouts
I don’t necessarily agree with everything, word for word, but I think that it’s an interesting piece, and worth a read!
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Thanks to all from TACKLE for the recommendations! Not surprisingly, given our demographic, the lion’s share were things to READ. However, there were a few items under LISTEN, WATCH, and SEARCH as well. Take a look here https://padlet.com/kgeoffrionscannell/TACKLELGBTQIA and feel free to send more! https://forms.gle/VLGqHfAZoovt2YRa7
Native Garden Wild Pollinator Project
Take a look at what our Justice League Learning Community group is doing. We, Andrea H., Lauren G., Lisa R. and myself are creating an outdoor learning space on the west side of the building with the intention of beautify the grounds, teaching about wild pollinators and native plants and having a positive impact on the environment. Indeed, right now it’s just dry dirt, but we are enriching the soil by growing a winter cover crop of field peas, oilseed radishes, and oats.
A sweet moment
Just wanted to share this sweet moment. An elderly patron came walking in slowly with a cane. He went and got his holds, and came to me to check them out. There were three books: popular Irish songs, Irish folk songs and Irish pub songs. He said his wife has Alzheimer’s and she likes it when he sings to her, and, he admitted, he can’t always remember the words to her favorite songs. Just lovely — true devotion.